Quest University(Quest) is a brand-new school founded in 2002 in Squamish. It accepted its the first students last year, 2007. Currently there are 140 students including first and second-year students. Recently, there was differences of opinion between the Students Representative Council (SRC) and Dean Duperron, the ex-president, concerning the process of decision-making. Instead of simply following decisions of the ex-president, all Quest students showed active and volunteer attitude regarding the direction the school should go.

In mid-August, 2008, Dean was temporarily appointed as a president at Quest. While he was promoting several plans, two main problems were noticed by the SRC. The first trouble was a lack of transparency. By neglecting his duty to clarify his plans in front of all students and faculty, he failed to satisfy the students' inquries about what was happening on campus. For example, Brian, ex-Dean of Enrollment, was fired while Dean asserted that Brian resigned from the position. Moreover, Dean had a plan to use the residence for rather commercial purposes than academic pursuits. While Dean was focusing more on financial profit, students and faculty put more weight on deriving consensus among the entire school and pursuing the ultimate goal of the university. Thus, lack of communication and transparency disappointed the students.

More importantly, the majority of students were not satisfied with the contents of Dean's plans. As mentioned above, the president was planning to use a part of residences for-profit purposes by leasing it to the general public. This plan opposed the belief of students that all buildings and facilities of Quest should be used for academic and non-for-profit purposes. The other matter was related to the size of classes. The president's plan was to increase the number of students in a class from 20 to 25. But it was pointed out, by majority of students, that all the classrooms were designed for 20 student classes. The block system, which is a very unique and innovative curriculum in Quest, is also most suitable for 20 students classes.

The SRC, however, played a key role to deliver the students' opinions to the president and to inform them about the progress. On September 16th, all Quest University students were able to attend a meeting in Multi Purpose Room to know about what the president was planning to do. The SRC presented the content of numerous meetings that they had with the president in September. They also answered the questions of other students at the end of the meeting. All the students were encouraged to ask the SRC whatever they wanted to know. This meeting was impressive compared to ones in general universities, where only some students are able to participate in Students Council meeting.

As its name "Quest" indicates, all students of Quest University are encouraged to inquire and get answers for their questions actively. This encouragement is not limited to academic area. By having a community meeting every first Monday of every block, students get involved in all school events such as a mural project. From the 6th to the 8th of October, more than 60 students participated in a mural project, which was large painting work for decorating the campus. It is impossible for Quest students not to take part in something related to the school. Consequently, this stimulating atmosphere motivates students to cherish the fundamental goal of the university.

Second Prize

Globalization? Glocalization?

Kim Da-jeong

Department of English Language and Literature, Sophomore

Have you heard about glocalization? Maybe you didn't, or you think "Isn't it globalization?" NO, it's made up word. Global + local, so it means world wide but also considering local. Its first origin was from economy. Maybe you can guess from Macdonald. Even if Macdonald is world wide franchise, but you can find exotic hamburger in another country. They didn't use just standardized hamburger. They developed new style hamburger for each country. Actually, it's not easy as I explained. There are many parts to adapt this concept. In conclusion, it's super sophisticated. So do we have to give it up to understand it? I recommend you that you make your own definition for that. I will introduce my own definition.

I love traveling. Whenever I travel to each country, I feel their life is almost the same. Their thinking and their happiness is almost similar with us. But the expression "The same things" is different. When I traveled to the Philippines, I was really surprised to their slow but hopeful attitude. My life was always busy. I thought if I didn't do anything, I would be turned over. After I experienced their life, I thought doing nothing is not a bad thing. If I have never experienced the Philippines' culture, I will just judge their culture to one word. So even if we are global community, we didn't try to know our neighbors.

Our world is a global community. Now nobody can deny it. But each country has many problems because of globalization. Why we have these kinds of problems? I think globalization is not real globalization. Globalization is just westernization. Many countries want to develop their country to be like western country. They think western style progress. But it's not true. We lost many things by westernization.

'Global warming, desertification, standardization of culture, shortage of water' we already had many problems. But we can't solve it in just one way. Western way such as progress of science, we absolutely can't solve it. We should find another way. In this way, we have to focus on variety of each culture. I think we can find another solution in here.

How many people know about other culture except America? Maybe you don't know what is really going on in other countries. But you already judged many cultures. How did you judge the country that you don't know at all? We should know about other culture to realize the real globalization. I think powerful countries helped the world to realize what real globalization is. If powerful countries just want profit and supremacy, as they are now, the world may not see changes. Imagine what good will it bring to these countries in the future.

I just eat American hamburger, rice curry from India, sushi from Japan. I know just a few dishes from other countries, because I couldn't find them around my vicinity. But if I knew Kenya's food, Bangladesh's food, Tibet's food, my diet will be diverse. Furthermore we can think about their culture as we eat their food. Like that, I think knowledge and understand is most important to globalization. Moreover if we consider about that, we can keep our diversity of culture and globalize.

In this way, we can realize glocal solidarity. In basis of understanding each culture and open-minded attitude, we should act in behalf of our world. But it doesn't mean one solid voice. Variety of voices, together in harmony. It's more important than saying it in one word. Each country has various culture, society and economy. So it's not enough to say it in one word as globalization.

Powerful countries use their superior power to force others to follow their voice. It's not fair. Though our voices are different, we have the same purpose. We can still create some harmony even if each expression is different. We should remember the reality of glocal solidarity, glocal action. One voice is good, but one word is not good to our world. If we understand and try to find new ways to work in harmony, we can hear the world in great harmony.

Comments on the 16th Reporting Contest

All the participants demonstrated strong writing skills with interesting topics. The criteria for evaluations were; originality of the contents, logical development of the ideas, styles, and appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar. Some of the well-written essays were excluded from the award regardless of its quality due to the inappropriate topics and styles.

The first prize winner "Apathy: something that cannot exist in Quest" delivered insights about college life by making a detailed report about student participation in decision-making. The second winner "Globalization? Glocalization?" was appreciated for having dealt with the up-to-date issue from a college student's perspective. Having reviewed all the contestants's essays, the review committee members found it very encouraging to see substantial improvement at each contest. Although there were some grammar mistakes, most of the essays were successfully written to convey the writers' purposes. More thorough proofreading could be utilized for further development. All the committee members send their appreciation to the participants of this year and cheer for more contestants at next contest.